High surface area inducers for cementitious aggregates production

ABSTRACT

Method and composition for producing aggregates from cement and concrete, including residual or returned concrete. Exemplary methods involve the use of an aggregate-forming inducer that provides a surface anchoring site for cement paste to bond/adhere, such as shredded news print, cardboard, or mixtures thereof, and also including fiber materials such as polymers, glass, and other material fibers. The aggregate-forming inducer is mixed with fresh concrete until aggregates are formed.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for producing granularmaterial or aggregates from concrete or other hydratable cementitiouscompositions, and more particularly to the use of an aggregate-forminginducer that provides a surface anchoring site for cement paste tobond/adhere to, such as shredded paper, cardboard, glass or polymerfibers, and the like to so produce the granular material or aggregates.

BACKGROUND

In the U.S., approximately 4% of concrete is returned to the ready mixplant due to several reasons, including not meeting specifications,over-ordering (e.g., the amount ordered exceeded the amount used for thejob), job site issues resulting in delayed pour beyond the plastic lifeof the concrete, etc. Regardless of the reason for the return, the readymix producer generally has to treat the returned concrete to facilitatereuse, recycle or discard it as industrial waste. For example,re-claimers may be used to recycle sand and aggregate. If managedcorrectly, the treatment water also can be used to manufacture fresh(unset) concrete.

It is known to produce aggregate particles from cement compositions,including concrete and residual or returned concrete. Such aggregatematerials could be used to replace a portion of typical aggregates(e.g., sand, stone) in a different batch of concrete or for otherconstruction purposes, such as roadbed material.

Such aggregates have been produced by methods which involve adding flashsetting accelerators and super-absorbent polymers to fresh unset cementcompositions and blending this mixture until granular materials wereformed. Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) are polymers that are capable ofretaining large amounts of water in comparison to their weight. WhenSAPs come into contact with water, the water molecules diffuse into thevoid space inside the polymer network, hydrating the polymer chains, andachieving a high swelling ratio which is the ratio of the weight of theswollen SAPs to the dried SAPs. The swelling ratio is determined by thedegree of branching and cross-linking, the chemical structure of themonomers that make up the SAPs network and external factors such as pH,ionic concentration of the solution and the temperature.

Methods for producing aggregates from non-hardened cement compositionsare also known, in particular from concrete or residual concrete, whichcomprises adding (a) a water-absorbing agent and (b) a crystallizationdeactivator to a non-hardened cement composition and mixing until agranular material was formed. The method allows unneeded residues ofstill liquid concrete to be converted into a practical product, whichcould then be reused to produce new concrete compositions.

Similarly, there are methods for producing aggregates from “unsettled”cementitious mixtures which comprise the steps of (a) adding at leastone “pelletizing” agent to the unsettled cementitious mixture, (b)mixing constantly the mixture of step (a) in a mixer to produce pellets,(c) discharging the pellets obtained in step (b) and (d) drying thepellets formed in step (c). The pelletizing agent is selected from thegroup consisting of cellulose, chitosan, collagen, polyacrylamide andco-polymers of polyacrylamide and polyacrylics, polyamines,polyvinylacohols, polysaccharides, lactic acid, methacrylic acid,methacrylate, hydroxyethyl, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, acrylicacid, inorganic flocculants, and inorganic coagulants. This methodavoids using a flash setting accelerator while using a relatively highdosage of super-absorbent polymer.

The terms “paste,” “mortar,” and “concrete” are terms of art: pastes aremixtures composed of a hydratable cementitious binder (usually, but notexclusively, Portland cement, masonry cement, or mortar cement, and mayalso include limestone, hydrated lime, fly ash, blast furnace Slag, andSilica fume or other materials commonly included in Such cements) andwater; mortars are pastes additionally including fine aggregate (e.g.,Sand); and concretes are mortars additionally including coarse aggregate(e.g., gravel, Stones). In case the concrete is spray applied, theconcrete is called shotcrete. For example, a cementitious compositionmay be formed by mixing required amounts of certain materials, e.g.,hydratable cementitious binder, water, and fine and/or coarse aggregate,as may be desired, with high surface area materials such as shreddedpaper or fibers as described herein.

As a still further example, the use of a polymer encapsulated in awater-soluble bag, wherein the polymer, when released from the bagduring mixing, absorbs water in the concrete and forms a gel structurearound some of the fine aggregates contained in the concrete is known,thereby forming a granular material that could be used as road bedmaterial.

It would be desirable to provide a method for producing granularmaterial or aggregates from fresh concrete, shotcrete or other fluidhydratable cementitious compositions, such as residual or returnedconcrete or shotcrete, in an efficient and inexpensive manner, suchthat, for example, the granular material or aggregate can be put instock piles, or reused in concrete, e.g., a batch of fresh or unsetconcrete different from the one from which the granular material oraggregates are produced. It also would be desirable to obtain granularmaterial or aggregates resulting from this method, and use such materialas aggregates. Also, producing granular material in accordance withembodiments disclosed herein is beneficial to avoid buildup of materialon the sides, blades and chute, for example, of a concrete mixing drumthat sometimes occurs with the use of set accelerators and otheradditives, and to quickly treat and discharge material from the truck orleaving the treated the material inside the truck and batch freshconcrete on top of it, minimizing total processing time.

SUMMARY

In departing from the prior art approaches to forming aggregates whichare based on the use of “superabsorbent” polymers or “pelletizing”chemical compounds, the present inventors made the surprising discoverythat adding additional surface area to a concrete mix by using materialswith high specific surface areas can provide the ability to formaggregates within cements, concretes, and other cementitious materials,such as residual or returned concrete. This can be accomplished with orwithout the use of a set accelerator. Moreover, the aggregate-inducingmaterial used in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein has theadvantage that residual material remaining in the concrete truck orother vessel where it is mixed with the cementitious material does notalter the properties of the next batch of concrete added to the truck orvessel. Accordingly, methods disclosed herein enable the recycling ofconcrete by transforming the same into aggregates that then can be addedinto one or more different batches of concrete, for example. The batchesof concrete to which the formed aggregates are added may themselvescontain aggregates.

Embodiments disclosed herein are also believed to overcome the highunpredictability in the characteristics of the aggregate material,because the use of the high surface area materials decreases theworkability and rheology of concrete materials, facilitating theformation of aggregate particles.

In certain embodiments, granular or aggregate material is produced fromfresh concrete by the addition of a formulation comprising a granular oraggregate-forming inducer. In some embodiments, the aggregate-forminginducer provides a surface anchoring site for cement paste tobond/adhere to. In some embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducercomprises a fiber having an elongated body with a length to equivalentdiameter ratio of at least 10, more preferable at least 50, wherein theequivalent diameter is defined by ACI 544.5R-10, Section2.2-Definitions, diameter of a circle having an area equal to theaverage cross sectional area of a fiber. In some embodiments, theaggregate-forming inducer, when added to concrete or cementitiousmaterial, introduces additional anchoring surface area for cement pastebetween 275 and 50,000 square meters per cubic meter of concrete,preferably between 500 and 10,000 square meters per cubic meter ofconcrete, most preferably between 1,000 and 5,000 square meters percubic meter of concrete. In some embodiments, the aggregate-forminginducer is a water-absorbing component that exhibits a high capacity toabsorb water per unit weight of water-absorbing material. In certainembodiments, the formulation is devoid of a set accelerator. In certainembodiments, the formulation is devoid of a water-absorbing component.In certain embodiments, the formulation is devoid of both a setaccelerator and a water-absorbing component. In some embodiments, theaggregate-forming inducer is news print. In some embodiments, the newsprint is post-consumer newsprint. In some embodiments, the news print isuntreated; e.g., it is not rendered hydrophobic. In some embodiments,the news print is or has been mechanically shredded and/or cut intosmall pieces similar to the shredding of paper documents withconventional shredders. The pieces can be as small as one millimeter orless. The degree of shredding can be characterized by the particle sizedistribution measured using sieve analysis. Typically, shreddedmaterials will pass through a sieve size of less than 20 mesh (0.841mm). Retention of material starts at 20 mesh or greater (0.841 mm orless).

In some embodiments, an aggregate-forming inducer that is an additive oradmixture is provided that, when added to fresh or plastic concrete,converts the concrete to granular material that can be reused. In someembodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer is provided in a container orhousing, such as a paper bag.

Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that theaggregate-forming inducer, when introduced into the plastic mix,introduces more surface area for the cement paste/mortar to adhere to.As a consequence, there is less paste to form a continuous network toadhere aggregate. As a result, the workability and rheology of theconcrete mix is significantly reduced as measured using the slump conetest, ASTM C143/C143M, Standard Test Method for Slump ofHydraulic-Cement Concrete. The net result is the conversion of theplastic material to a granular form.

In some embodiments, the resulting granular material obtained by themethods disclosed herein is used as aggregate in fresh concrete,replacing up to (but not limited) about 60% of conventional aggregates,for example. In some embodiments, the granular material is added toconcrete in amounts between 100-1600 lbs/yd³, more preferably between178 and 710 lbs/yd³ of cementitious material.

In certain embodiments, a method for producing aggregate particles fromcementitious compositions is provided, the method comprising: combininga cementitious composition and at least one aggregate-forming inducer,wherein the at least one aggregate-forming inducer has a specificsurface area of at least 10 square meters per kilogram; and mixing saidcementitious composition with said aggregate-forming inducer until themixed components form granular material.

In some embodiments, the cementitious composition is residual orreturned concrete. In some embodiments, the cementitious composition isa cementitious paste fraction separate from residual or returnedconcrete.

In some embodiments, the at least one aggregate-forming inducer ischosen from paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, cartons, corrugatedcartons, crepe paper, news print, kraft paper, wall paper, wax paper,silk paper; shredded currencies removed from circulation (US andForeign); wood fibers; glass fibers; shredded textiles; cotton fibers;hemp; mineral fiber chosen from wollastonite, mica, rock wool, slagwool, and graphite; polyolefin fibers; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); carbonfibers; nylon; para-aramid synthetic fiber; polyester fibers, naturalfibers chosen from sisal fibers, cotton, flax, jute, coconut husks,protein-based fibers, banana, pineapple, wool, mohair and silk; shreddedpolystyrene, shredded PET; and mixtures of any of the foregoing.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a method for producing aggregateparticles from cementitious compositions is disclosed, the methodcomprising: combining in a vessel a cementitious composition and atleast one aggregate-forming inducer that provides a surface anchoringsite for cement paste to bond/adhere to, wherein the at least oneaggregate-forming inducer comprises a fiber having an elongated bodywith a length to equivalent diameter ratio of at least 10 and that whenadded to concrete, introduces anchoring surface area for saidcementitious composition between 275 and 50,000 square meters per cubicmeter of cementitious composition.

In a second exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the fiber has an elongated body with a length toequivalent diameter ratio of at least 50.

In a third exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the anchoring surface area is between 500 and10,000 square meters per cubic meter of cementitious composition.

In a fourth second exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any ofthe other exemplary embodiments, the anchoring surface area is between1,000 and 5,000 square meters per cubic meter of cementitiouscomposition.

In a fifth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the vessel is the drum of a concrete mixingtruck.

In a sixth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the time needed to combine the at least oneaggregate-forming inducer and the cementitious composition and convertthe resulting mix to a granular material is 1 to 10 minutes per cubicyard of cementitious composition.

In a seventh exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer does notnegatively impact subsequent concrete mixes with regard to its plasticand hardened properties chosen from air entrainment, unit weight, slump,set time and strength.

In an eighth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, the cementitious composition is residual orreturned concrete.

In a ninth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the cementitious composition is a cementitiouspaste fraction (e.g., devoid of aggregate) separate from residual orreturned concrete.

In a tenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of the otherexemplary embodiments, the at least one aggregate-forming inducer ischosen from shredded and/or cut paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard,cartons, corrugated cartons, crepe paper, news print, kraft paper, wallpaper, wax paper, silk paper; shredded currencies removed fromcirculation (US and Foreign); wood fibers; glass fibers; shreddedtextiles; cotton fibers; hemp; mineral fiber chosen from wollastonite,mica, rock wool, slag wool, and graphite; polyolefin fibers; polyvinylalcohol (PVA); carbon fibers; nylon; para-aramid synthetic fiber;polyester fibers, natural fibers chosen from sisal fibers, cotton, flax,jute, coconut husks, protein-based fibers, banana, pineapple, wool,mohair and silk; shredded polystyrene, shredded PET; and mixtures of anyof the foregoing.

In a first aspect of the tenth exemplary embodiment, the polyolefinfibers are polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers or blends thereof.

In a second aspect of the tenth exemplary embodiment, the polyolefinfibers are polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers or blends thereofhaving a length between 1 mm and 60 mm.

In a third aspect of the tenth exemplary embodiment, the polyolefinfibers are polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers or blends thereofhave a surface area per unit weight between 100 and 400 square metersper kilogram.

In a fourth aspect of the tenth exemplary embodiment, the polyolefinfibers are polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers or blends thereofhave a surface area per unit weight between 200 and 250 square metersper kilogram.

In an eleventh exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, said aggregate-forming inducer is newsprint.

In a first aspect of the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the news printis shredded and/or cut.

In a second aspect of the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the news printis shredded and has a surface area per unit weight between 10 and 500square meters per kilogram.

In a third aspect of the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the news printis shredded and has a surface area per unit weight between 15 and 300square meters per kilogram.

In a twelfth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, the cementitious composition is returnedconcrete in a delivery truck mixer-drum, and the at least oneaggregate-forming inducer is shredded newsprint.

In a thirteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, an admixture chosen from one or more setaccelerators, set retarders, water reducers, rheology modifiers chosenfrom clay, super absorbent polymers and thickeners, corrosioninhibitors, shrinkage reducing admixtures, colorants, air entrainers,air detrainers, and combinations thereof.

In a first aspect of the thirteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein saidset accelerator is aluminum sulfate, aluminum trihydrate, calciumnitrate, calcium nitrite, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, thiocyanateor mixtures thereof.

In a fourteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, a super absorbent polymer chosen fromsodium polyacrylate and polyacrylic acid is added.

In a fifteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theprevious other exemplary embodiments, aggregate particles formed by themethod of the first exemplary embodiment are disclosed.

In a sixteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, a packaged admixture is disclosed, theadmixture comprising an aggregate-forming inducer comprising a fiberhaving an elongated body with a length to equivalent diameter ratio ofat least 10 and that when added to concrete and an admixture chosen fromone or more of set accelerators, set retarders and rheology modifiers.

In a first aspect of the sixteenth exemplary embodiment, the fiber hasan elongated body with a length to equivalent diameter ratio of at least50.

In a seventeenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, a single-use container consistingessentially of one or more aggregate-forming inducers having anelongated body with a length to equivalent diameter ratio of at least 10is disclosed.

In a first aspect of the seventeenth exemplary embodiment, the one ormore aggregate-forming inducers is news print.

In a second aspect of the seventeenth exemplary embodiment, thecontainer is a paper bag.

In a third aspect of the seventeenth exemplary embodiment, the containeris a water soluble bag.

In a fourth aspect of the seventeenth embodiment, the container is apulpable bag.

In a fifth aspect of the seventeenth embodiment, the container is aplastic bag.

In a sixth aspect of the seventeenth embodiment, the container is a wrapcovering the side of a cylinder.

In an eighteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, a method for producing aggregate particlesfrom cementitious compositions is disclosed, comprising: combining acementitious composition and a formulation consisting essentially of atleast one aggregate-forming inducer, wherein the at least oneaggregate-forming inducer when added to said cementitious compositionintroduces surface area between 275 and 50,000 square meters per cubicmeter of cementitious composition, and mixing said cementitiouscomposition with said formulation until the mixed components formgranular material.

In a nineteenth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, the formulation is combined with saidcementitious material with a conveyor belt, a pneumatic system, a bloweror a dispenser.

In a twentieth exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer, when addedto the cementitious composition, introduces surface area between 500 to10,000 square meters per meter of cementitious composition.

In a first aspect of the twentieth embodiment, the aggregate-forminginducer, when added to the cementitious composition, introduces surfacearea between 1,000 to 5,000 square meters per meter of cementitiouscomposition.

In a twenty-first exemplary embodiment, which can be based on any of theother exemplary embodiments, a cementitious composition is disclosed,comprising a paste portion and aggregate formed by the method of thefirst exemplary embodiment.

Further advantages and benefits are further described in detailhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Benefits and features of the embodiments disclosed herein may be morereadily appreciated when the following written description of exemplaryembodiments is considered in conjunction with the drawings, as describedin the ensuing paragraphs.

FIG. 1 is a digital photograph of shredded post-consumer news print (at1.0×, graduated scale is in units of 1 mm) used as an aggregate-forminginducer in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a digital photograph of shredded post-consumer news print (at1.6×, graduated scale is in units of 1 mm) used as an aggregate-forminginducer in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a digital photograph of shredded post-consumer news print (at4.0×, graduated scale is in units of 1 mm) used as an aggregate-forminginducer in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is digital photograph of aggregate produced in Sample #6 of Table1, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is digital photograph of aggregate produced in Sample #9 of Table1, accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 6 is digital photograph of aggregate produced in Sample #11 ofTable 1, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in the specification, various devices and parts may be describedas “comprising” other components. The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),”“having,” “has,” “can,” “contain(s),” and variants thereof, as usedherein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, orwords that do not preclude the possibility of additional components.

The terms “concrete” or “shotcrete” typically refer to a mixture ofcement (which often contains supplementary cementitious materials suchas limestone, fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag and otherpozzolanic materials) and aggregates (e.g., fine aggregate such as sand,coarse aggregate such as gravel) and optionally one or more chemicaladmixtures (e.g., plasticizers for increasing workability, setaccelerators, set retarders, air entrainers, air detrainers, plasticshrinkage reducing admixtures, corrosion inhibitors (for rebar) formodifying concrete in its plastic or hardened state. Concrete isconsidered to be hydratable material in that the addition of water intothe mixture of cement and aggregates initiates a hardening reaction.

The term “cement” includes hydratable cement such as

Portland cement which is produced by pulverizing clinker consisting ofhydraulic calcium silicates, aluminates and aluminoferrites, and one ormore forms of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum) as an interground additive.Typically, Portland cement is combined with one or more supplementalcementitious materials, such as fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag,limestone, natural pozzolans, or mixtures thereof, and provided as ablend, all of which binds aggregates together to make concrete.

The term “cementitious” may be used herein to refer to materials thatcomprise Portland cement, CSA cement or which otherwise function as abinder to hold together fine aggregates (e.g., sand) and coarseaggregates (e.g., crushed gravel, stone) which are used for constitutingconcrete. The cementitious compositions may be formed by mixing requiredamounts of certain materials, e.g., hydratable cement, water, and fineand/or coarse aggregate, as may be applicable to make the particularcement composition being formed.

In the concrete industry, the term “aggregate” typically means andrefers to sand and/or stone particles, typically having average size of0.5 to 50 mm. Aggregates may also comprise calciferous, siliceous orsiliceous limestone minerals. Such aggregates may be of either the“natural” type (e.g., derived from glacial, alluvial, or marine depositswhich are typically weathered such that the particles have smoothsurfaces) or may be of the “manufactured” type, which are made usingmechanical crushers or grinding devices. Coarse aggregate stoneparticles are typically grouped into various size fractions as describedfor instance in ASTM C33/C33M-18. As the size fraction used iscontrolled by various factors, including, but not limited to, the spacebetween reinforcing bars in a proposed construction, aggregate size isoften important in concrete mix designs.

As used herein, the term “aggregate” is used as well to refer to cementor concrete particles made through exemplary processes disclosed hereinwhich involve mixing with cement, concrete, mortar, other cementitiousmaterials, or combinations thereof, an aggregate-forming inducer whichmay be a high surface area material such as post-consumer newsprint.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scopeof a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimedsubject matter. The term permits the inclusion substances which do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecomposition, formulation or method under consideration. Accordingly, theexpressions “consists essentially of” or “consisting essentially of”mean that the recited embodiment, feature, component, etc. must bepresent and that other embodiments, features, components, etc., may bepresent provided the presence thereof does not materially affect theperformance, character or effect of the recited embodiment, feature,component, etc. The presence of impurities or a small amount of amaterial that has no material effect on a composition is permitted. Alsothe intentional inclusion of small amounts of one or more non-recitedcomponents that otherwise have no material effect on the characterperformance of a composition is still included within the definition of“consisting essentially of”. For example, a formulation consistingessentially of an aggregate-forming inducer in accordance withembodiments disclosed herein contains no superabsorbent polymer or setaccelerator. Similarly, for example, a method consisting essentially ofcombining a cementitious composition and at least one aggregate-forminginducer, and mixing the cementitious composition with theaggregate-forming inducer until the mixed components form granularmaterial, includes no steps of adding or otherwise involving asuperabsorbent polymer or set accelerator to form the aggregate.

In some embodiments, an aggregate-forming inducer that is an additive oradmixture is provided that, when added to and mixed with fresh orplastic concrete, converts the concrete to granular material that can bereused in a different batch of concrete or other cementitious material.In some embodiments, the resulting granular material then may be used asaggregate in fresh (e.g., unset) concrete. The components may be mixeddirectly in a conventional cement mixing truck or by other suitablemixing equipment.

The resulting granular material may be used as a substitute forconventional aggregate, such as course aggregate. It can totally replacethe aggregate, or can replace only a portion thereof, such as 10%, 20%,40%, 60% or greater.

An exemplary method for producing aggregate materia0ls from cement orconcrete, comprises: combining a cementitious composition and at leastone aggregate-forming inducer in a vessel, wherein the at least oneaggregate-forming inducer is characterized by having a specific surfacearea of at least 10 square meters per kilogram; and adding (e.g.,blending, mixing or otherwise interdispersing) these components togetheruntil the additional surface area added to the mix is 400 square metersor greater; wherein mixed components form aggregate particles. In someembodiments the vessel is the rotatable drum of a concrete mixing truck.In some embodiments, the components may be added to the cement orconcrete in a drum of a concrete mixing truck while the concrete drum isslowly turning. After all the components are added to the mix, therotation rate of the drum may be set to between 10 and 15 rpm and mixedfor approximately 3 minutes. In some embodiments, the material may thendischarged to form a pile, for example. The method may be carried outunder a variety of environmental conditions. In fact, the method isindependent of environmental conditions. The method may be carried outwithin or under normal operating conditions or constraints for concrete.In some embodiments the method may be carried out wherein the vessel isa rotatable concrete mixer drum mounted on a concrete ready-mix deliveryvehicle, and further wherein concrete within the mixer drum is monitoredby an automated slump monitoring system to ensure that theaggregate-forming inducer becomes uniformly mixed within concretecontained within the mixer drum. In some embodiments, the material maynot be discharged to form a pile, but left in the mixing vessel andfresh concrete may be batched on top of it, for example.

Other vessels in which the aggregate-forming inducer and cementitiousmaterial are combined and mixed may be used, including vats, mixers,etc.

Certain embodiments relate to the material obtained by the methodsdisclosed herein. An exemplary additive formulation for introducing intocement or concrete to produce aggregate particles may comprise anaggregate-forming inducer that is a water absorbing component having ahigh water absorption rate ratio. For example, there's a range of waterabsorption rate or capacity for a host of different materials. Soil, forexample will typically have a range of water absorption capacity between0.3 and 0.6 grams/gram of soil. Super absorbent polymers (SAP) will havea water absorption capacity between 50 and 200 grams/gram of SAP. Bothmaterials can be used to convert plastic concrete to a granular form,the only important difference being the amounts necessary. Theformulation may include one or more other ingredients, such as setaccelerators and/or set retarders.

Suitable aggregate-forming inducers include cellulose fibers such asshredded and/or cut paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, cartons,corrugated cartons, crepe paper, news print, kraft paper, wall paper,wax paper, silk paper; shredded currencies removed from circulation (USand Foreign); wood fibers; glass fibers; shredded textiles; cottonfibers; hemp; mineral fiber chosen from wollastonite, mica, rock wool,slag wool, and graphite; polyolefin fibers; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA);carbon fibers; nylon; para-aramid synthetic fiber; polyester fibers,natural fibers chosen from sisal fibers, cotton, flax, jute, coconuthusks, protein-based fibers, banana, pineapple, wool, mohair and silk;shredded polystyrene, shredded PET; and mixtures of any of theforegoing.

In certain embodiments, the fiber or fibers have elongated bodies with alength to equivalent diameter ratio of at least about 10, preferably atleast about 50. In certain embodiments, when the fibers are added to thecementitious composition such as concrete, they introduce anchoringsurface area for the cementitious composition between 275 and 50,000square meters per cubic meter of cementitious composition. In accordancewith certain embodiments, the amount of aggregate-forming inducer usedis such that the additional surface area added to the mix is at leastabout 400 square meters per cubic meter of concrete, preferably at leastabout 1000 square meters per cubic meter of concrete, more preferably atleast about 1500 square meters per cubic meter of concrete orcementitious material. The higher amounts of aggregate-forming inducerresult in decreased workability of the resulting composition,facilitating the formation of granular material. In accordance withcertain embodiments the fiber having an elongated body increases itsspecific surface area during mixing of the concrete due to surfaceroughening or fibrillation by at least 10 percent. In accordance withcertain embodiments the fiber having an elongated body increases itsspecific surface area during mixing of the concrete due to surfaceroughening or fibrillation by at least 50 percent.

In some embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer is a formulation thatmay include a water absorbing component that exhibits a high waterabsorption capacity such as a super absorbent polymer. In certainembodiments, the formulation is devoid of a set accelerator. In certainembodiments, the formulation is devoid of a set retarder. In certainembodiments, the formulation is devoid of both a set accelerator and aset retarder. In some embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer isshredded news print. In some embodiments, the news print is untreated;e.g., it is not rendered hydrophobic.

In a preferred embodiment, the aggregate-forming inducer is news printthat has been shredded and/or cut. Suitable material is CF100commercially available from JRS and has the following specifications:

Average Particle Oil size (% Retained) Fiber Viscosity Viscosity AshMoisture Absorption 20 60 100 140 Length (Water)) (30 W Oil) ContentContent Times Mesh Mesh Mesh Mesh Average 4% conc. 2% conc. Max MaxWeight 35-72 6-17 1-3 2-4 1.31 mm 16700 cP 140000 cP 15% 7% 11X

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show shredded post-consumer news print at differentmagnifications. The material appears to be fractal in nature wherethere's a combination of fine and coarse material at different lengthscales. The fine material are individual fibers or fibrous in nature andthe coarse material is comprised of an agglomerate of fibers. There arealso pieces of paper that have not been shredded. A combination ofshredded and non-shredded news print may be used. Preferably themajority of the news print is shredded.

In certain embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer may be introducedto cementitious material directly in a concrete mixing truck containingthe cementitious material. In some embodiments, the aggregate-forminginducer is introduced to the cementitious material with a driving forcesuch as a pneumatic system that uses pressurized air or other gas insertto the ingredients used. The pneumatic system may blow the inducer intoa concrete mixing truck containing the cementitious material, such as aready-mix truck with a rotatable drum. The inducer may be blown into thedrum using forced air while the drum is rotating, or prior to rotatingthe drum, and when a suitable amount of inducer has been added, thespeed of the drum rotation may be increased to thoroughly mix theinducer and cementitious material. A mixing time of about 1 to 10minutes per cubic yard of concrete and a drum rotation rate between 10and 15 rpm have been found to be suitable. Alternatively, the inducermay be introduced by adding containers of the inducer, such as paperbags, pulpable bags, and/or water-soluble polymer bags, plastic bagsinto the vessel containing the cementitious material. Other methods ofintroducing the inducer into the cementitious material may be used,including a conveyor belt transporting the inducer to a vesselcontaining the cementitious composition, manually adding the inducer toa vessel containing the cementitious composition, or using one or moreautomatic dispensers to dispense the inducer to a vessel containing thecementitious composition, and are within the scope of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the inducer may be introduced bymanually feeding compressed material in the form of blocks, cubes ortubes and allowing the inducer to be broken up in the drum duringmixing. In some embodiments, the cementitious composition may beintroduced to the vessel after the inducer is added to the vessel. Insome embodiments, the aggregate-forming inducer will increase itsspecific surface area due to surface roughening or fibrillation offilaments.

In certain embodiments wherein the vessel is a rotatable concrete mixerdrum mounted on a concrete ready-mix delivery vehicle, and furtherwherein concrete within the mixer drum is monitored by an automatedslump monitoring system to ensure that the aggregate-forming inducerbecomes uniformly mixed within concrete contained within the mixer drum.

The cementitious material may be a cementitious paste fraction separatefrom residual or returned concrete, and thus may not comprise sandand/or stone aggregate.

In certain embodiments, one or more set accelerators may be used, andmay be introduced to the cementitious material simultaneously with theaggregate-forming inducer, or after the aggregate-forming inducer hasbeen added. The set accelerator may be blended with theaggregate-forming inducer prior to introduction into the cementitiousmaterial, or it may be added to the cementitious material separatelyfrom the aggregate-forming inducer. The set accelerator may be added inequal amounts, by weight, of the aggregate-forming inducer. Suitable setaccelerators are those conventionally used in the art to accelerate set,including calcium aluminum hydrates, aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate,calcium nitrite, calcium formate, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, andthiocyanate, etc.

In certain embodiments, one or more set retarders may be used, and maybe introduced to the cementitious material simultaneously with theaggregate-forming inducer, or after the aggregate-forming inducer hasbeen added. The set retarder may be blended with the aggregate-forminginducer prior to introduction into the cementitious material, or it maybe added to the cementitious material separately from theaggregate-forming inducer. The set retarder may be added in amountsequal to approximately 5 to 50 ounces per 100 lbs of cement. Suitableset retarders are those conventionally used in the art to retard set,including lignin, tartaric acid and salts thereof, lignosulfonatesacids, hydroxylated carboxylic acids, carbohydrates, etc.

In certain embodiments, one or more superabsorbent polymers may be used,and may be introduced to the cementitious material simultaneously withthe aggregate-forming inducer, or after the aggregate-forming inducerhas been added. The superabsorbent polymer may be blended with theaggregate-forming inducer prior to introduction into the cementitiousmaterial, or it may be added to the cementitious material separatelyfrom the aggregate-forming inducer. Suitable amounts of superabsorbentpolymer are approximately 2 lbs/yd³ or greater. Suitable superabsorbentpolymers are those conventionally used in the art, and may includesodium polyacrylate, carboxyalkyl cellulose polymers, carboxyalkylstarch polymers, alginates, chitosans, and starches. Also, polymers fromthe group of polyacrylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers andpolyaspartic acid polymers.

Other ingredients typically added to concrete also may be used,including colorants, pigments, dyes, air entraining agents, airde-training agents, etc.

In certain embodiments, a container or housing suitable for introductioninto a load of cementitious material is provided. The container maycontain one or more of an aggregate-forming inducer, one or more setaccelerators, one or more set retarders and/or one or moresuperabsorbent polymers or thickeners. In some embodiments, thecontainer is a single-use container that has no negative impact on theproperties of the resulting concrete, such as a paper bag. In someembodiments, the container contains only one or more aggregate-forminginducers. In some embodiments, the container contains only one or moreaggregate-forming inducers and one or more a set accelerators. In someembodiments, the container contains only one or more aggregate-forminginducers and one or more a superabsorbent polymers. In certainembodiments, one or more of any of these containers are manuallyintroduced in to a drum of a ready-mix truck containing concrete orother cementitious material, and the drum of the truck is rotated at asufficient speed and for a sufficient time to cause the formation ofaggregates.

The mixing time for mixing the aggregate-forming inducer andcementitious material is not particularly limited. Generally a mixingtime of about 1 to 10 minutes per cubic yard of concrete by rotating thedrum of a typical ready-mix truck is sufficient. The mixing time may bedetermined by visual inspection to see if the granular material has beenformed. Suitable ready-mix drum mixing speeds are between 5 and 25 rpm,preferably between 10 and 15 rpm. In certain embodiments, the VERIFI®In-transit Concrete Management system commercially available from GCPApplied Technologies may be used to monitor the properties of the mixduring conversion to a granular form and determine when the conversionis complete.

An important advantage of the methods disclosed herein is that theaddition of an aggregate-forming inducer to a vessel, particularly adrum of a cement truck, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein,minimizes material build-up on the drum or drum components, and thusdoes not materially impact the properties of subsequent loads ofcementitious material added to the truck. For example, in certainembodiments, the nature of the aggregate-forming inducer in accordancewith embodiments disclosed herein is such that no or only minimalresidual material remains in the truck, and of residual material thatdoes remain on any of the various components of the truck, includingdrum inner walls, blades and chute, causes little or no change or effecton the properties (e.g., slump, amount of air entrainment, strength,etc.) of subsequent loads after the treated load is discharged from thetruck, and will have no negative impact on any such properties.

The embodiments disclosed herein now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichvarious exemplary embodiments are shown illustrating variations withinthe scope of this disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, the shredded news print used in thefollowing Examples was post-consumer shredded news print having thefollowing particle size distribution as measured using sieve analysis:between 45 and 62% was retained on a mesh 20 sieve, and between 12 and21% was retained on a 40 mesh sieve. The ash content was between 3 and20% and the moisture content was approximately 7%.

Also unless otherwise indicated, slump cone measurements, per ASTMC143/C143M, were used to show how the addition of shredded post-consumernews print (or other aggregate-inducing formers) reduces concreteworkability and rheology.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the granular material after it has been treatedwith shredded post-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate. In thesefigures the effect of aluminum sulfate dosage was investigated. Therange of aluminum sulfate is 12.2-36.7 lbs/yd³ and the dosage ofshredded post-consumer news print was fixed at 24.5 lbs/yd³. In allcases, the granular material appears to be a mixture of coarse and fineaggregate. Note, as the addition of aluminum sulfate is increased, theappearance of the coarse aggregate is smooth (FIG. 4) compared to thematerial treated with a lower level of aluminum sulfate (FIG. 6),indicating less adhesion of the paste/mortar fraction to the coarsematerial. The coarse aggregate in FIG. 4 appears rough in nature withsmall deposits of paste/mortar on the outer surface. FIG. 4 representsthe material after being treated with 24.5 lbs/yd³ of shreddedpost-consumer news print and 36.7 lbs/yd³ of aluminum sulfate. FIG. 6 isgranular material treated with the same dosage of shredded post-consumernews print but a lower dosage of aluminum sulfate, 12.2 lbs/yd³.

EXAMPLE 1

In this study the effect shredded post-consumer news print and concreteset accelerator (aluminum sulfate) on the conversion of plastic concreteto a granular material was investigated. In the first part of this studythe effect of shredded post-consumer news print on the conversion ofplastic concrete to a granular form was studied (sample numbers 2-4).The dosage range of shredded post-consumer news print used in the firststudy (sample numbers 1-4) was between 0 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. When theconcrete is in the plastic state, shredded post-consumer news print wasmanually added to the material and mixed using a stationary concretemixer for about 3 minutes or until the material is converted to agranular form. At the dosage range investigated, 12.2 to 36.7 lbs/yd³,the addition of shredded post-consumer news print transformed plasticconcrete to a granular form as indicated by the zero slump measurements.The addition of shredded post-consumer news print also resulted in adecrease in the 28 day compressive strength relative to the referencemix. The 28 day compressive strength for the reference mix (no shreddedpost-consumer news print) is 4552 psi. At a cellulose fiber dosage of36.7 lbs/yd³, the 28 day strength decreases to 447 psi. The lower thecompressive strength, the easier it is for the granular material to bebroken up at a later time.

In the second study (sample numbers 5-11), the effect of a setaccelerator, aluminum sulfate, in combination with shreddedpost-consumer news print on the conversion of plastic concrete to agranular form was investigated. The objective was to determine if theaddition of a set accelerator would enhance the performance of theshredded post-consumer news print during the conversion process and alsoresult in a weaker material over time. Plastic concrete was converted toa granular material by adding shredded post-consumer news print with thefollowing characteristics: particle sized distribution as measured usingsieve analysis: between 45 and 62% was retained on the mesh 20 sieve,between 12 and 21% was retained on the 40 mesh sieve. The ash contentwas between 3 and 20% and the moisture content was approximately 7%. Theaddition of shredded post-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate aregiven in the Table below together with the concrete mix design. Similarto the study above, the shredded post-consumer news print was manuallyadded to the plastic concrete in a stationary batch mixer and then mixedbetween 15 and 45 rpm for about 3 minutes or until the plastic materialwas converted to a granular form. After the addition of fibers, a setaccelerator, aluminum sulfate, was added and mixed for an additional 5minutes. The dosage range of shredded post-consumer news print andaluminum sulfate were between 0 to 36.7 pounds per cubic yard ofconcrete. In all cases, the plastic material was converted to a granularform as indicated by the zero slump. Also, the compressive strengthcould not be measured since a single hardened mass could not beproduced. This work showed that the addition of a set accelerator,aluminum sulfate, produced a granular material that was significantlyweaker compared to the addition of only shredded post-consumer newsprint in the dosage range or addition rates investigated in thisexample. A later example will show that the same results can be achievedby increasing the dosage rate of fibers beyond 37 pounds per cubic yardof concrete. For example, at a shredded post-consumer news print dosageof 36.7 pounds per cubic yard of concrete, the compressive strength formaterial treated with only cellulose fiber was 447 psi (pounds persquare inch when measured in accordance with ASTM C39/C39M, StandardTest Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens).The same material treated with the same dosage of fiber and aluminumsulfate broke apart before it could be measured.

In the following examples, to facilitate compressive strengthmeasurements, the level of consolidation was significantly increasedbeyond what's called for in ASTM C31/C31M-15a, Standard Practice forMaking and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field. A vibrationtable in combination with a tamping rod were implemented to consolidatethe granular material in compressive strength cylinder molds. Thecylinder molds were 4 inches in diameter by 8 inches in length inaccordance with ASTM C39/C39M, Standard Test Method for CompressiveStrength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens.

TABLE 1 Number Units 1 2 3 4 5 6 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 13031303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 waterlbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fibertype shredded post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumerconsumer consumer news print news print news print news print news printgrams 162 324 486 162 324 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 24.5 acceleratorType aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate grams 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1723 1793 571 141 1240 362strength (psi)  7 day 3930 3422 984 337 2276 832 28 day 4552 4265 1388447 2531 823 granular yes/no no yes Yes yes Yes yes slump inches 8 0 0 00 0 weight grams 20620 20210 18580 18350 20030 17450 air % 1.8 3 7 8 44.5 unit weight kg/m³ 2387 2329 2099 2067 2304 1939 pcf 149.0 145.4131.0 129.0 143.8 121.0 concrete temp. ° C. 22.2 22.2 22.7 22.2 23.322.2 Number Units 7 8 9 10 11 12 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 13031303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 waterlbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fibertype post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumer consumerconsumer news print news print news print news print news print grams486 162 324 486 324 lbs/yd³ 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 24.5 accelerator Typealuminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate grams 162 324 324 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 24.5 24.536.7 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 67 349 39 15 24 1839strength (psi)  7 day 662 3749 28 day 945 4941 granular yes/no yes yesyes yes yes no slump inches 0 0 0 0 0 6.5 weight grams 17070 18410 1742016170 16240 20510 air % 5 5 4 2.9 4.2 2 unit weight kg/m³ 1886 2075 19351759 1769 2372 pcf 117.7 129.5 120.8 109.8 110.4 148.1 concrete temp. °C. 23.3 22.7 26.6 25.5 27.7 22.2

EXAMPLE 2

In this example, material made in Example 1, specifically sample numbers6 and 9, were used to replace a fraction of the coarse aggregate, 10, 20and 40%, of the reference mix (sample number 1). The granular materialused to replace the aggregate was produced using 24.5 pounds per cubicyard of concrete of shredded post-consumer news print and 12.2 and 24.5pounds per cubic yard of concrete of accelerator, aluminum sulfate,samples 6 and 9 respectively. The reference mix contains 1775 lbs/yd³ ofcoarse aggregate. In sample number 2, 10% of the coarse aggregate, 178lbs/yd³, was replaced with the granular material produced in Example 1,specifically sample number 6. The total amount of coarse aggregateremains the same as the control, 1775 lbs/yd³. In subsequent mixes, 20and 40% of the coarse aggregate were replaced as indicated in Table 2below. The plastic and hardened properties were measured and provided inTable 2 below. There is a decrease in compressive strength compared tothe reference mix (number 1) as the fraction of coarse aggregatereplacement increases. At 40% replacement, the strength decreases from5031 psi to 4339 psi. When the replacement material was treated withmore accelerator, the strength decrease was less, 4940 psi. One couldargue that this difference is not significant. As the fraction oftreated material in the mix increases, plastic air increases. At 40%aggregate replacement the plastic air increases from 2% to 2.9%(material treated with 12.2 lbs/yd³ aluminum sulfate) and 3.3% (materialtreated with 24.5 lbs/yd³ aluminum sulfate). The increase in air contentcould explain the decrease in strength.

TABLE 2 Number Units 1 2 3 4 5 6 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 13031303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 waterlbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fibertype shredded shredded shredded shredded shredded post- post- post-post- post- consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer news print newsprint news print news print news print grams 162 324 486 162 324 lbs/yd³12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 24.5 accelerator Type aluminum aluminum sulfatesulfate grams 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 polymer type grams lbs/yd³compressive  1 day 1723 1793 571 141 1240 362 strength (psi)  7 day 39303422 984 337 2276 832 28 day 4552 4265 1388 447 2531 823 granular yes/nono yes Yes Yes yes yes slump inches 8 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20620 2021018580 18350 20030 17450 air % 1.8 3 7 8 4 4.5 unit weight kg/m³ 23872329 2099 2067 2304 1939 pcf 149.0 145.4 131.0 129.0 143.8 121.0concrete temp. ° C. 22.2 22.2 22.7 22.2 23.3 22.2 Number Units 7 8 9 1011 12 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 coarse aggregate lbs/yd³1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shreddedshredded shredded shredded post- post- post- post- post- consumerconsumer consumer consumer consumer news print news print news printnews print news print grams 486 162 324 486 324 lbs/yd³ 36.7 12.2 24.536.7 24.5 accelerator Type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumsulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 162 324 324 324 486lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 24.5 24.5 36.7 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive 1 day 67 349 39 15 24 1839 strength (psi)  7 day 662 3749 28 day 9454941 granular yes/no yes yes yes yes yes no slump inches 0 0 0 0 0 6.5weight grams 17070 18410 17420 16170 16240 20510 air % 5 5 4 2.9 4.2 2unit weight kg/m³ 1886 2075 1935 1759 1769 2372 pcf 117.7 129.5 120.8109.8 110.4 148.1 concrete temp. ° C. 23.3 22.7 26.6 25.5 27.37 22.2

EXAMPLE 3

Plastic concrete was converted to a granular material by adding polymerfibers and aluminum sulfate. Sample number 1 is the reference mix. Thenext series, samples 2-4, use fibers made from polypropylene (commercialfibers, SINTA M and SINTA F polypropylene micro and fibrillated fiberssold by GCP Applied Technologies) in combination with aluminum sulfate.Fibers made from PVA in combination with aluminum sulfate were used insamples 5-7. The dosage rate for the fibers in both cases varied from12.2 lbs/yd³ to 36.7 lbs/yd³. The accelerator dosage was fixed at 12.2lbs/yd³. The process was the same as previously described. Fibers weremanually added to the plastic concrete and mixed using a 3.0 cubic footconcrete mixer for approximately 3 minutes. To accelerate set, aluminumsulfate was then added and mixed for an additional 5 minutes. In allcases, material was converted to a granular form as indicated by thedecrease in unit weight and zero slump. The concrete mix design togetherwith the plastic and hardened properties are also given in Table 3below. As previously observed with shredded post-consumer news print, asthe dosage rate of polypropylene and polyvinyl alcohol fibers increase,the 28 day compressive strength decreases. For the case ofpolypropylene, at a dosage of 36.7 lbs/yd³ the strength decreases from4855 psi to 1322 psi. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol fibers at adosage of 36.7 lbs/yd³ results in a 28 day strength of 1336 psi, similarto values obtained for polypropylene. The values are higher compared forthe same treatment using shredded post-consumer news print. From thefirst example, the 28 day strength for a granular material treated with24.5 lbs/yd³ of shredded post-consumer news print and 12.2. lbs/yd³ ofaluminum was 823 psi. From the previous study, the equivalent dosageresulted in a material that broke apart when removing from the mold andas a consequence a compressive strength measurement could not be made.

TABLE 3 Number Units 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611611 611 coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sandlbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 00 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type polypropylene polypropylene polypropylenepva fibers pva fibers pva fibers fibers fibers fibers grams 162 324 486162 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 accelerator Typealuminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1day 1797 1994 906 803 1572 975 706 strength (psi)  7 day 3798 3588 1890937 2662 1656 1304 28 day 4855 4633 1994 1322 2650 2384 1336 granularyes/no no no yes yes yes yes yes slump inches 8.25 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 weightgrams 20610 20470 19840 18900 20200 19210 18960 air % 1.7 0 0 0 0 0 0unit weight kg/m³ 2386 2366 2277 2144 2328 2188 2153 pcf 149.0 147.7142.1 133.8 145.3 136.6 134.4 concrete temp. ° C. 22.2 24.4 25.5 24.424.4 24.4 24.4

EXAMPLE 4

In this example, material made in Example 1, specifically sample number11, was used to replace a fraction of the coarse aggregate, 10, 20 and40%, i.e., samples 2-4. Sample 11 in Example 1 used 24.5 lbs/yd³ ofcellulose fiber and 36.7 lbs/yd³ of set accelerator, aluminum sulfate.The effect on plastic and hardened properties were measured and given inTable 4 below. There's a slight decrease in the 28 day compressivestrength relative to the reference mix. At 40% coarse aggregatereplacement, the 28 day strength is 4887 psi, which is 339 psi less thanthe reference mix. As the fraction of treated material increases in themix, plastic air increases. The reference mix contains 1.9% plastic air.At 40% replacement of the coarse aggregate the plastic air increases to2.6%.

Samples 5-7 are looking at the effect on concrete plastic propertieswith the addition of 24.5 lbs/yd³ of shredded post-consumer news printand a variation in the addition rate of aluminum sulfate, from 12.2 to36.7 lbs/yd³. As previously demonstrated, the addition of shreddedpost-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate can convert plasticconcrete to a granular form. In this case, the dosage rate of shreddedpost-consumer news print is fixed at 24.5 lbs/yd³ and the dosage rate ofaluminum sulfate is varied between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. As previouslydemonstrated, the addition of shredded post-consumer news print andaluminum sulfate in the dosage range between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³significantly reduces the 28 day strength making it easier to managegranular material as a function of time. For example, at an acceleratordosage of 36.7 lbs/yd³ the compressive strength decreases from 5226 psifor the reference mix to 381 psi. The last sample, number 8, is thetreatment of plastic concrete with a competitive product called RECONZero, from Mapei. RECON Zero is a two-component system comprised of asuper absorbent polymer (crossed linked sodium polyacrylic polymer) andset accelerator, aluminum sulfate. The dosage of polymer and acceleratorare relatively low compared to the use of cellulose fiber and setaccelerator used in previous examples. The polymer dosage is 0.8 lbs/yd³and the set accelerator is 10.1 lbs/yd³. RECON Zero also results in agranular material with a concomitant decrease in 28 day compressivestrength relative to the reference mix. For this case, the 28 daystrength decreases to 447 psi.

TABLE 4 Number Units 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611611 611 611 coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1597.5 1420 1065 1775 17751775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granularmaterial lbs/yd³ 0 178 355 710 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber typeshredded shredded shredded shredded shredded shredded post- post- post-post- post- post- consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer consumernews print news print news print news print news print news print grams324 324 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5accelerator Type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams486 486 486 162 324 486 133 lbs/yd³ 36.7 36.7 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 10.1polymer type sap grams 11.1 lbs/yd³ 0.8 compressive  1 day 1946 19791771 1830 402 412 218 283 strength (psi)  7 day 3510 3795 3423 3514 796577 286 522 28 day 5226 4906 4844 4887 907 903 381 447 granular yes/nono No no no yes yes yes yes slump inches 8.25 7.5 8 8.25 0 0 0 0 weightgrams 20590 20420 20320 20030 16460 16280 15820 16470 air % 1.9 2 2.12.6 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2383 2359 2345 2304 1800 1774 1709 1801pcf 148.8 147.3 146.4 143.8 112.4 110.7 106.7 112.4 concrete temp. ° C.23.3 23.3 23.3 23.3 25.5 27.7 28.8 27.2

EXAMPLE 5 (Batch Number 17247)

In this example, three small studies were carried out. In the firststudy, samples 2-3, the effect of polypropylene fibers (commercialfibers, SINTA M and SINTA F polypropylene micro and fibrillated fiberssold by GCP Applied Technologies) without the addition of aluminumsulfate was investigated. At 12.2 lbs/yd³, the addition of polypropylenefibers could not convert plastic concrete to a granular form. At 24.5lbs/yd³, the addition of polypropylene fibers was able to transformplastic concrete to a granular form. The decrease in the 28 daycompressive strength was small compared to the use of shreddedpost-consumer news print at the same dosage. At 24.5 lbs/yd³ of fibersthe compressive strength for concrete treated with cellulose was 1388psi compared to 4844 psi for concrete treated with polypropylene fibers.

In the second study, sample number 4-6, the dosage of polypropylenefibers was fixed at 12.2 lbs/yd³ and the dosage rate of aluminum sulfatewas varied between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. In all three cases, plasticconcrete was converted to a granular form as indicated by the zeroslump, decrease in unit weight and compressive strength. The addition ofaccelerator in excess of 12.2 lbs/yd³ results in a significant decreasein 28 day strength. At a dosage of 24.5 lbs/yd³, the 28 day strengthdecreases from 5226 psi to 907 psi.

In the last study, in addition to the shredded post-consumer news printand aluminum sulfate, a super absorbent polymer (SAP), Hysorb 8600 fromBASF and CoolTie AgSAP from M2Polymer, was added to determine if thegranular properties of the material improves, i.e., is weaker when theSAP is introduced. The role of the super absorbent polymer is to absorbwater from the system facilitating the conversion of plastic concrete toa granular material. The dosage rate or dependence of the SAP wasstudied between 0.4 and 1.7 lbs/yd³. In the absence of SAP, the 28 daystrength for concrete treated with cellulose fiber and accelerator at adosage of 12.2 lbs/yd³ was 2531 psi. The addition of 0.4 lbs/yd³ of SAPreduces the 28 day strength to 381 psi. Results indicate that the 28 daystrength is independent of SAP dosage in the range investigated. At adosage of 1.7 lbs/yd³, the 28 day strength is 447 psi which is higherthan the value measured at a dosage of 0.4 lbs/yd³.

TABLE 5 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303granular lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52fiber type polypro- polypro- polypro- polypro- polypro- shreddedshredded shredded pylene pylene pylene pylene pylene post- post- post-fibers fibers fibers fibers fibers consumer consumer consumer news printnews print news print grams 162 324 162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.224.5 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 accelerator Type aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate grams 162 324 486 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.712.2 12.2 12.2 polymer type Sap sap sap grams 5.6 11.1 22.3 lbs/yd³ 0.40.8 1.7 compressive  1 day 1443 1488 1108 1566 1192 762 399 254 141strength (psi)  7 day 4319 3386 2204 3674 3452 1709 754 466 409 28 day5226 4906 4844 4887 907 903 381 447 447 granular yes/no no no yes yesyes yes Yes yes yes slump inches 9 1.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 2036019560 18410 18420 18060 17600 16490 16600 16180 air 2.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0unit weight kg/m³ 2351 2238 2075 2077 2026 1961 1804 1819 1760 Pcf 146.8139.7 129.5 129.7 126.5 122.4 112.6 113.6 109.9 concrete ° C. 21.1 22.722.7 22.2 23.3 27.2 24.4 23.8 23.3 temp.

EXAMPLE 6

In the first study, sample numbers 2-4, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 4, sample number 7. The level ofreplacement was similar to previous studies, 10, 20 and 40% of thecoarse aggregate (as shown in the table below). Unlike in some of theprevious studies, the compressive strength did not change significantly.The 28 day strength for the reference mix was 4977 psi. At 40%replacement, the 28 day strength was 4949 psi. The air did increaseslightly as the amount of treated material in the mix increased. The airincreased from 1.7 to 2.9%. The shredded post-consumer news print andaluminum sulfate content in the treated material was approximately 24.5lbs/yd³ and 36.7 lbs/yd³ respectively. One reason why the difference incompressive strength was not significant could be due to the increasedlevel of accelerator, aluminum sulfate.

In the second study, sample numbers 5-6, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 4, sample number 8. In this studythe level of coarse aggregate replacement was approximately 10 and 20%.Similar to the first study, there was no significant effect on theconcrete hardened properties. Compressive strength of the treatedmaterial was comparable to the reference mix. Unlike mixes containingshredded post-consumer news print, there was a reduction in air as thepercent replacement increased. However, the plastic air was still higherthan the reference mix. Example 4, sample number 8 was treated using acommercially available product called RECON Zero manufactured by Mapei.RECON Zero is a two-part system comprised of a super absorbent polymer(sodium polyacrylate, part A) and a set accelerator (aluminum sulfate,part B). The relative dosages are given or provided in the examples (4and 6).

The last two examples, 7 & 8, were simply replicates of previousstudies.

TABLE 6 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611611 611 coarse lbs/yd³ 1775 1597.5 1420 1065 1597.5 1420 1775 1775aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granularlbs/yd³ 0 178 355 710 178 355 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber typeshredded shredded shredded shredded post- post- post- post- consumerconsumer consumer consumer news print news print news print news printgrams 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 accelerator typealuminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 486 486 486 133133 133 486 lbs/yd³ 36.7 36.7 36.7 10.1 10.1 10.1 36.7 polymer type sapSap sap grams 11.1 11.1 11.1 lbs/yd³ 0.8 0.8 0.8 compressive  1 day 19522169 1983 2168 1753 2103 478 128 strength (psi)  7 day 3963 3997 39023955 3874 3942 731 221 28 day 4977 5052 5106 4949 5083 5128 1340 555granular yes/no no no no no no No yes yes slump inches 8.25 8 5.5 3.758.25 5.75 0 0 weight grams 20620 20510 20390 20050 20420 20510 1823016780 air % 1.7 2 2.4 2.9 2.4 1.9 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2387 2372 23552307 2359 2372 2050 1845 pcf 149.0 148.1 147.0 144.0 147.3 148.1 128.0115.2 concrete ° C. 22.7 22.7 22.7 22.7 22.7 23.3 23.8 27.2 temp.

EXAMPLE 7

In the first study, sample numbers 2-4, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 6, sample number 7. The level ofreplacement was similar to previous studies, 10, 20 and 40% of thecoarse aggregate (as shown in the table below). Unlike in some of theprevious studies, the compressive strength did not change significantly.The air did increase slightly as the amount of treated material in themix increased. This was not observed at the lower dosage previouslystudied (Example 6). In this study the treated material used to replacethe coarse aggregate was made using a commercially available productcalled RECON Zero manufactured by Mapei. RECON Zero is a two-part systemcomprised of a super absorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate, part A) anda set accelerator (aluminum sulfate, part B). The dosage rates of part Aand part B are 0.8 and 10.1 lbs/yd³ respectively.

In the second study, sample numbers 5-7, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 6, sample number 8. The material inExample 6, sample number 8 was treated using shredded post-consumer newsprint and aluminum sulfate. The level of replacement was similar toprevious studies, 10, 20 and 40% of the coarse aggregate (as shown inthe table below). Unlike in some of the previous studies, thecompressive strength did not change significantly. The air did increaseslightly as the amount of treated material in the mix increased. Thecellulose and aluminum sulfate content in the treated material wasapproximately 24.5 lbs/yd³ and 36.7 lbs/yd³ respectively. One reason whythe difference in compressive strength was not significant could be dueto the increased level of accelerator, aluminum sulfate.

In the third study, the use of cellulose fiber and accelerator toconvert plastic concrete to a granular material was repeated. The dosagerate of cellulose fiber was fixed at 24.5 lbs/yd³. The dosage rate ofaluminum sulfate was between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³.

The last two examples, 7 & 8, were simply replicates of previousstudies.

TABLE 7 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611611 611 611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³ 1775 1597.5 1420 1065 1597.5 14201065 1775 1775 1775 aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 13031303 1303 1303 1303 granular lbs/yd³ 0 178 355 710 178 355 710 0 0 0material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.520.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type shreddedshredded shredded shredded shredded shredded post- post- post- post-post- post- consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer newsprint news print news print news print news print news print grams 324324 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 acceleratortype aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate grams 133.1 133.1 133.1 486 486 486 162 324 486lbs/yd³ 10.1 10.1 10.1 36.7 36.7 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 polymer type sapsap sap grams 11.1 11.1 11.1 lbs/yd³ 0.8 0.8 0.8 compressive  1 day 20412021 1817 1986 1704 1813 1873 753 354 309 strength (psi)  7 day 40984054 3896 4194 3643 3975 3847 1458 730 655 28 day 5296 5590 5193 56754808 5094 4664 1773 684 743 granular yes/no no no no no no no no yes yesyes slump Inches 5.25 6.25 6.25 5.5 8 6.25 3.5 0 0 0 weight grams 1984019710 19770 19400 19750 19580 19310 16950 16880 15990 air % 2.1 2.1 2.22.5 2.1 2.6 3.4 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2277 2259 2267 2215 2264 22402202 1869 1859 1733 pcf 142.1 141.0 141.5 138.3 141.3 139.8 137.5 116.7116.1 108.2 concrete ° C. 21.1 21.6 22.2 21.1 21.6 21.6 22.2 23.3 25.526.1 temp.

EXAMPLE 8

In this example, two studies were carried out using a fixed dosage rateof shredded post-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate. The effect ofdosage rate on the performance or conversion of plastic concrete to agranular form was studied using two different protocols. In the firststudy (sample numbers 2-4) the addition of materials was sequential. Thesuper absorbent polymer was added first and mixed for three minutes,followed by the addition of shredded post-consumer news print and mixedfor the same amount of time, 3 minutes. After the mixing of cellulosefiber, the set accelerator, aluminum sulfate, was added and mixed for 5minutes. In the second study (sample numbers 5-7), all materials wereblended and added simultaneously. In both cases the performance, plasticand hardened properties were similar indicating that the additionsequence of raw materials has no effect on the conversion of plasticconcrete to a granular form.

TABLE 8 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded shredded shreddedshredded post- post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumerconsumer consumer consumer news print news print news print news printnews print news print grams 162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.212.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 polymertype sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium polyacrylate polyacrylatepolyacrylate polyacrylate polyacrylate polyacrylate grams 5.5 11 22 5.511 22 lbs/yd³ 0.4 0.8 1.7 0.4 0.8 1.7 compressive  1 day 1738 267 86 83258 136 107 strength (psi)  7 day 3756 545 185 219 397 273 135 28 day4817 992 218 425 532 369 237 granular yes/no no yes yes yes Yes yes yesslump inches 8.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20680 18400 16980 17310 1845016800 17700 air % 1.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2396 2074 1873 19202081 1848 1975 pcf 149.6 129.5 116.9 119.9 129.9 115.4 123.3 concretetemp. ° C. 25 26.1 25.6 25.6 25.6 25.6 25.6 Note: the difference betweensamples 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7 is that for the case of 5, 6, 7 the sap(sodium polyacrylate), accelerator (aluminum sulfate) and shreddedpost-consumer news print were pre-blended before addition.

EXAMPLE 9

In this example, two studies were carried out to determine the effect ofaccelerator dosage rate on the conversion of plastic concrete to agranular form at a fixed dosage of shredded post-consumer news print. Inthe first study, the dosage rate of shredded post-consumer news printwas fixed at 12.2 lbs/yd³. The dosage rates of set acceleratorinvestigated were 12.2, 24.5 and 37.7 lbs/yd³. In the second study, asimilar investigation was carried out except in this case the dosage ofcellulose fiber was increased from 12.2 to 24.5 lbs/yd³. The dosages ofaluminum sulfate remained the same. The most significant difference isin the compressive strength. For the same dosage of aluminum sulfate,the addition of shredded post-consumer news print results in asignificant decrease in compressive strength. For example, at fixedaccelerator dosage of 12.2 lbs/yd³, when the dosage in shreddedpost-consumer news print increases from 12.2 and 24.5 lbs/yd³ the 28 daystrength decreases from 3870 to 483 psi. The addition of shreddedpost-consumer news print significantly decreases the compressivestrength making it easier to breakup.

TABLE 9 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded shredded shreddedshredded post- post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumerconsumer consumer consumer news print news print news print news printnews print news print grams 162 162 162 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.212.2 24.5 24.5 24.5 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams162 324 486 162 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1386 1398 474 218 162 275 23strength (psi)  7 day 3151 2762 659 338 358 486 66 28 day 4790 3870 905485 483 517 129 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes yes yes slump inches6.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20420 20100 18400 17160 17380 17000 17270air % 1.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2359 2314 2074 1899 1930 18761914 pcf 147.3 144.5 129.5 118.6 120.5 117.1 119.5 concrete temp. ° C.23.3 25.6 27.2 27.2 26.7 26.7 27.8

EXAMPLE 10

In the first study, sample numbers 2-4, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 9, sample number 4. The level ofreplacement was similar to previous studies, 10, 20 and 40% of thecoarse aggregate (as shown in the table below). Similar to previousstudies the compressive strength decreased slightly with a concomitantincrease in plastic air. The material used to replace the coarseaggregate was treated with shredded post-consumer news print andaluminum sulfate at 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³, respectively.

In the second study, sample numbers 5-7, treated material was used toreplace coarse aggregate in the reference mix (sample number 1). Thetreated material was made in Example 6, sample number 7. The level ofreplacement was similar to previous studies, 10, 20 and 40% of thecoarse aggregate (as shown in the table below). Similar to previousstudies the compressive strength decreased slightly with a concomitantincrease in plastic air. The material used to replace the coarseaggregate was treated with shredded post-consumer news print andaluminum sulfate at 24.5 and 36.7 lbs/yd³, respectively. In this case,the increase in air was higher compared to the first study indicatingthat as the dosage rate of fibers increases so does the plastic air whenthe material is reused as aggregate.

TABLE 10 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1597.5 1420 1065 1597.5 1420 1065 sandlbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0178 355 710 178 355 710 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type shredded post- shreddedpost- shredded post- shredded post- shredded post- shredded post-consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer- consumer new s print newsprint news print news print news print news print grams 162 162 162 324324 324 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 24.5 24.5 24.5 accelerator Type aluminumaluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate grams 486 486 486 486 486 486 lbs/yd³ 36.7 36.736.7 36.7 36.7 36.7 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 17922010 1468 1886 1912 1946 1523 strength (psi)  7 day 3649 3600 3657 36313125 3787 3647 28 day 5611 5315 5601 5296 5206 5341 4877 granular yes/nono no no no no no no slump inches 8 7 6.5 5.25 6.5 6 6.75 weight grams20610 20510 20340 20090 20460 20440 20030 air % 2 2 2.6 2.8 2.4 2.3 3.3unit weight kg/m³ 2386 2372 2348 2312 2365 2362 2304 Pcf 149.0 148.1146.6 144.3 147.6 147.5 143.8 concrete temp. ° C. 24.4 23.8 22.2 23.822.2 21.6 22.2

EXAMPLE 11

In this study, the effect of fiber type, Drill Paper, shreddedpost-consumer news print and ARBOCEL (All materials were supplied by JRettenmaier and Soehne, GMBH and CO KG)on the conversion of plasticconcrete to a granular form was investigated. All paper types arecellulose-based. The most significant difference between the ARBOCELmaterial and the other two fibers is the particle size. Drill Paper hasan average particle size of equal to or greater than 1.31 mm. Theparticle size for shredded post-consumer news print is also of the orderof 1 mm. The particle size of ARBOCEL is between 0.2 and 0.3 mm. As aresult, the dosage efficiency of ARBOCEL should be better than the othertwo materials. Studies showed that the addition of ARBOCEL was able toproduce zero slump concrete (granular material) at dosage rates between12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. Shredded post-consumer news print and Drill Paperdid not produce zero slump concrete at a dosage rate of approximately12.2 lbs/yd³. Earlier studies showed that the addition of shreddedpost-consumer news print was able to convert plastic concrete to agranular form. In all cases a set accelerator, aluminum sulfate, wasused at a dosage rate of 12.2 lbs/yd³. Even though ARBOCEL had thesmallest particle size, the 28 day strengths are significantly highercompared to shredded post-consumer news print and Drill Paper. The 28day strength for material treated with 36.7 lbs/yd³ of drill paper andshredded post-consumer news print are 737 and 599 psi respectively. ForARBOCEL at equivalent dosage the 28 day strength was more than double,1565 psi. The higher 28 day compressive strength indicates that thematerial would be more difficult to break up and would require materialmanagement more frequently.

TABLE 11 Viscosity Viscosity Oil Fiber (Water) (30W Oil) Ash MoistureAbsorption Average Particle Size (% Retained) Length 4% conc., 2% conc.,Content Content Times Product 20 Mesh 60 Mesh 100 Mesh 140 Mesh Avg. cPcP Max Max Weight CF100 35-72  6-17 1-3 2-4  1.31 mm 16700 140000 15% 7%11X  CF220 17-28 10-17 3-7 4-9  1.05 mm 8400 29500 27% 5% 9X CF315 10-1813-21 4-8 4-10 1.05 mm 25000 35500 23% 5% 5X CF325  9-17 12-19 4-8 5-100.83 mm 7900 35700 28% 5% 8X CF335  8-17 11-18 4-8 4-10 0.87 mm 740038300 29% 5% 8X CFS40605 0 10-30  8-14 9-23 0.53 mm 1800 7400 18% 5% 8XCF425 0-1  7-18  6-13 8-19 0.72 mm 2200 8200 28% 5% 7X CF525 0  1-12 8-15 6-20 0.57 mm 2400 9800 25% 5% 6X CF725 0 0-8  8-14 13-26  0.54 mm2600 6700 25% 5% 6X Drill Paper <50   8-14 2-6 N/A N/A 13100 110300 11%10%  11X  10 Mesh 35 Mesh ARBOCEL 18 max 88 min 0.2-0.3 mm   0.50%  20Mesh 40 Mesh Passing Ash Moisture (in Pan) content content SHREDDED45-62 12-21  4-17 3-20 7% POST- CONSUMER NEWS PRINT

TABLE 11A Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611611 611 611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 17751775 1775 1775 aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 13031303 1303 1303 granular lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 material waterlbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type drill drill drill shreddedshredded shredded ARBOCEL ARBOCEL ARBOCEL paper paper paper post- post-post- consumer consumer consumer news print news print news print grams162 324 486 162 324 486 162 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 24.536.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 162 162 162 162162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 2034 1863 739 390 1156 355139 1978 1816 556 strength (psi)  7 day 4181 3247 1257 416 2577 425 3703899 3410 1342 28 day 4826 4229 1525 737 2321 973 599 4816 4456 1565granular yes/no no no no yes no yes Yes yes yes yes slump inches 7.50.25 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20590 19640 18050 17640 1837017530 16890 20030 18680 18260 air % 2.3 6.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weightkg/m³ 2383 2249 2024 1966 2069 1951 1860 2304 2113 2054 pdf 148.8 140.4126.4 122.7 129.2 121.8 116.1 143.8 131.9 128.2 concrete ° C. 22.2 22.222.2 21.6 24.4 25.5 26.1 26.1 25.5 25.5 temp.

EXAMPLE 12

In this example, the effect of water absorbing polymers, specificallysuper absorbent polymer, on the conversion of plastic concrete togranular material was studied in combination with a fixed amount ofshredded post-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate. The objectivewas to determine if the addition of super absorbent polymers couldimprove the performance of the other materials in the conversion processincluding post processing behavior. Two super absorbent acrylic polymerswith a mean particle size of 20 and 60 microns were used.

Both materials were able to convert plastic concrete to a granular form.In terms of post-processing granular material, concrete treated withshredded post-consumer news print, accelerator and cross-linked modifiedacrylic polymer, resulted in a decrease in workability and compressivestrength as indicated in the table below. The dosage range for thepolymers used in this study was between 5.5 and 22 pounds per cubic yardof concrete. In both cases the compressive strength was reduced byapproximately 40%.

TABLE 12 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611611 611 coarse lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 aggregatesand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular lbs/yd³ 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shreddedshredded shredded shredded shredded post- post- post- post- post- post-consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer news print newsprint news print news print news print news print grams 162 162 162 162162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 accelerator type aluminumaluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate grams 162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.212.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 polymer type Acrylic Acrylic Acrylic Acrylic AcrylicAcrylic polymer polymer polymer polymer polymer polymer 20 microns 20microns 20 microns 60 microns 60 microns 60 microns grams 5.5 11 22 5.511 22 lbs/yd³ 0.4 0.8 1.7 0.4 0.8 1.7 compressive  1 day 1747 1902 16741430 1902 1871 1810 1383 strength (psi)  7 day 3911 3339 2672 2610 38582976 2921 2563 28 day 5649 4222 3849 3373 7099 3850 3873 3739 granularyes/no no yes yes Yes no Yes yes yes slump inches 6 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 weightgrams 20510 18180 17990 18400 20600 18650 18830 18760 air % 2.6 0 0 02.1 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2372 2043 2016 2074 2384 2109 2134 2125 pcf148.1 127.5 125.9 129.5 148.8 131.7 133.2 132.7 concrete ° C. 22.2 25.525 25 22.7 22.7 23.3 22.7 temp.

EXAMPLE 13

In this study, the effect of fiber type was investigated. Cellulose andglass fibers were compared at different dosage rates to determine theeffect on the conversion of plastic concrete to a granular form and onthe 28 day compressive strength. Shredded post-consumer news print wereadded at a dosage range between approximately 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. Theaddition of glass fibers was between 36.77 and 61.2 lbs/yd³. In bothcases the addition of post-consumer shredded news print or glass fiberscould transform plastic concrete to a granular form. The differencebetween the two fibers was in the 28 day compressive strength. Atcomparable dosages, the 28 day compressive strength for concrete treatedwith shredded post-consumer news print was less than material treatedwith glass fibers. For example, at a dosage of 36.7 lbs/yd³, thecompressive strengths for concrete treated with shredded post-consumernews print and glass fibers were 869 and 4466 psi respectively. Even athigher dosages, the 28 day strength for concrete treated with glassfibers, up to a dosage of 61.2 lbs/yd³, was greater than the concretetreated with 36.7 lbs/yd³ of shredded post-consumer news print.

TABLE 13 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd¹ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded glass glass glass post-post- post- fibers fibers fibers consumer consumer consumer news printnews print news print grams 162 324 486 486 648 810 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.536.7 36.7 48.9 61.2 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams324 324 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1640 1592 730 435 1774 1851 1368strength (psi)  7 day 3637 2947 1268 914 3346 3369 2845 28 day 5245 39471678 869 4466 4063 3828 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes yes yes slumpinches 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20540 17390 16700 16430 17850 1789017290 air % 1.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2376 1931 1834 1795 19962002 1917 pcf 148.3 120.5 114.5 112.1 124.6 125.0 119.7 concrete temp. °C. 22.2 22.7 23.3 23.8 23.8 24.4 24.4

EXAMPLE 14

In this study, the use of cellulose powder (cellulose, microcrystallinepowder, material no. 435236 from Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.) was compared toshredded post-consumer news print. In addition mixes were done using acompetitive product, Mapei's RECON Zero. Mix number 1 is the referencemix. Mix number 2 uses cellulose powder, specifically microcrystallinecellulose powder with a mean particle size of 125 microns. The powderwas being used as a naturally occurring water absorbing material(similar to SAP) and aluminum sulfate at equivalent dosages, 24.5lbs/yd³. The objective was to determine if there's a difference betweenthe performance of cellulose powder and shredded post-consumer newsprint. Mix number 6 is the comparable mix using shredded post-consumernews print. In both cases the plastic concrete is transformed togranular form. The most significant difference is the measured 28 daycompressive strength. The material or concrete treated with cellulosepowder had a compressive strength of 4272 psi after 28 days. Theconcrete treated with shredded post-consumer news print had a 28 daycompressive strength of less than 1600 psi. Mix number three shows theeffect of the addition of a small amount of super absorbent polymer anda reduction in aluminum sulfate. In fact, number 3 is an example ofconcrete treated with RECON Zero plus the addition of cellulose powder.The measured 28 day compressive strength is less than 1000 psi. Thatrepresents a significant reduction relative to the reference oruntreated mix, 5428 psi. The remaining mixes are replicates fromprevious studies. Mix number 4 is the treatment of plastic concreteusing Mapei's RECON Zero. Mixes 5-7 is the treatment of plastic concretewith a fixed cellulose fiber dosage, 24.5 lbs/yd³, and a variable amountof aluminum sulfate, 12.2-36.7 lbs/yd³.

TABLE 14 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type cellulose shredded shredded shredded powder post-post- post- consumer consumer consumer news print news print news printgrams 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 accelerator typealuminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 324 324 133.7 162 324 486 lbs/yd³24.5 24.5 10.1 12.2 24.5 36.7 polymer type cellulose sap sap powdergrams 324 11.1 11.1 lbs/yd³ 24.5 0.8 0.8 compressive  1 day 2056 1970293 594 1026 559 499 strength (psi)  7 day 4117 2488 530 1177 1541 1256815 28 day 5428 4272 823 1409 2250 1594 1234 granular yes/no no yes yesyes yes yes yes slump inches 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20610 1870017400 17870 18450 17200 16810 air 2.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 23862116 1932 1999 2081 1904 1849 pcf 149.0 132.1 120.6 124.8 129.9 118.9115.4 concrete temp. ° C. 21.6 25 22.7 22.7 22.2 25.5 25.5

EXAMPLE 15

In this study, the replacement of SAP in Mapei's RECON Zero withcellulose powder was investigated. In Mapei's patent they claim thatcellulose is a naturally occurring super absorbent polymer and can beused to convert returned concrete to aggregate. In this study cellulosepowder (cellulose microcrystalline powder, material no. 435236, fromSigma Aldrich, Inc.) was used to replace the super absorbent polymer atequivalent dosage, 0.8 lbs/yd³. The aluminum sulfate was fixed at 10.1lbs/yd³. The cellulose powder at 0.8 lbs/yd³ was not sufficient toconvert plastic concrete to a granular form indicating that atequivalent dosage it was not as effective as the super absorbentpolymer. The compressive strength confirms the ineffectiveness of thecellulose powder. The compressive strength was similar to the referencemix indicating no reduction in strength.

TABLE 15 Number 1 2 Cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 17751775 Sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 Water lbs/yd³318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 Fiber type grams lbs/yd³ accelerator type aluminumsulfate grams 133.7 lbs/yd³ 10.1 polymer type cellulose grams 11.1lbs/yd³ 0.8 compressive strength (psi)  1 day 2159 2462  7 day 3846 393928 day 5030 5195 granular yes/no No no slump inches 7 2.25 weight grams20580 20500 air % 2.3 2 unit weight kg/m³ 2382 2370 pcf 148.7 148.0concrete temp. ° C. 23.3 26.1

EXAMPLE 16

In this example, the effect of different fiber types and compositionwere investigated. In an earlier example, glass fibers were used toconvert plastic concrete to granular form. The dosage rates weresignificantly higher compared to shredded post-consumer news print. Inthis study, fiber glass insulation (Owen's Corning Atticat ExpandingBlown-In Insulation), comparable in density to shredded post-consumernews print, was used. The reason to match density was to try and matchspecific surface area. The dosage of fibers was varied between 12.2 and36.7 lbs/yd³. The dosage of aluminum sulfate was fixed at 12.2 lbs/yd³.In all cases, the addition of fiber glass or shredded post-consumer newsprint transforms plastic concrete to granular form. The 28 daycompressive strength as a function of dosage are comparable indicatingthat the treatment or conversion of concrete to a granular form with aconcomitant decrease in compressive strength is associated with surfacearea rather than material chemistry.

TABLE 16 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass shreddedshredded shredded post- post- post- consumer consumer consumer newsprint news print news print grams 162 324 486 162 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.224.5 36.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate grams 162 162 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.212.2 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 2040 2294 695 4001033 653 210 strength (psi)  7 day 4059 3756 1456 553 2440 1284 578 28day 4628 5049 2254 982 3642 1751 826 granular yes/no no yes yes Yes Yesyes yes slump inches 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20550 20020 18230 1750019570 18500 17160 air % 2.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2377 2303 20501947 2239 2088 1899 pcf 148.4 143.8 128.0 121.5 139.8 130.3 118.6concrete temp. ° C. 23.3 25.5 27.2 25.5 25.5 25.5 24.4

EXAMPLE 17 (Batch Number 17395)

In this study, the effect of fiber and accelerator dosage on theconversion of plastic concrete to granular form was investigated. Fiberglass (Owen's Corning Atticat Expanding Blown-In Insulation) was used ata dosage between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. The accelerator, aluminumsulfate, dosage was between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. Similar to theobservations made for shredded post-consumer news print and aluminumsulfate, as the dosage of fiber increases the 28 day compressivestrength decreases. As the dosage of aluminum sulfate increases, the 28day compressive strength decreases making the material easier to manageor break up as a function of time.

TABLE 17 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 13031303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 0 waterlbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fibertype fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass grams162 324 486 486 324 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 36.7 24.5 accelerator typealuminum aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfatesulfate sulfate grams 162 324 486 324 486 lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 24.536.7 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 2014 2583 593 303 312488 strength (psi)  7 day 3624 4295 2130 546 653 1070 28 day 4737 57502415 891 1389 1118 granular yes/no no yes Yes Yes yes yes slump inches6.75 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20440 20140 19270 17850 18210 18290 air %2.3 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2362 2319 2197 1996 2047 2058 pcf 147.5144.8 137.2 124.6 127.8 128.5 concrete temp. ° C. 25.5 25.5 26.6 27.727.2 27.7

EXAMPLE 18

In this study, the effect of fiber and accelerator dosage on theconversion of plastic concrete to granular form was investigated. Fiberglass (Owen's Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation) was used ata dosage between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. The accelerator, aluminumsulfate, was used at a dosage between 12.2 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. Similar tothe observations made for shredded post-consumer news print and aluminumsulfate, as the dosage of fiber increases the 28 day compressivestrength decreases. As the dosage of aluminum sulfate increases, the 28day compressive strength decreases making the material easier to manageor break up as a function of time.

TABLE 18 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd3 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd3 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd31303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd3 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd3 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass fiber glassfiber glass fiber glass grams 162 324 486 162 324 486 lbs/yd3 12.2 24.536.7 12.2 24.5 36.7 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams162 162 162 486 486 486 lbs/yd3 12.2 12.2 12.2 36.7 36.7 36.7 polymertype grams lbs/yd3 compressive  1 day 2027 2349 957 328 433 238 159strength (psi)  7 day 3934 4664 1830 790 615 391 348 28 day 4911 56802572 1083 1166 598 389 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes yes yes slumpinches 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20620 20380 20010 18950 19140 1848017860 air % 2.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m3 2387 2353 2301 2151 21782085 1997 pcf 149.0 146.9 143.6 134.3 136.0 130.2 124.7 concrete temp. °C. 22.2 26.1 25.5 26.6 27.7 26.6 27.2

EXAMPLE 19

In this study, the effect of fiber dosage on the conversion of plasticconcrete to granular form was investigated. Fiber glass (Owen's CorningAttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation) was used at a dosage between 12.2and 36.7 lbs/yd³. The accelerator, aluminum sulfate, dosage was fixed at24.5 lbs/yd³. Similar to the observations made for shreddedpost-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate, as the dosage of fiberincreases the 28 day compressive strength decreases. As the dosage ofaluminum sulfate increases, the 28 day compressive strength decreasesmaking the material easier to manage or break up as a function of time.

TABLE 19 Number 1 2 3 4 5 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 coarseaggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 13031303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type fiber glass fiber glassfiber glass shredded post- consumer news print grams 162 324 486 162lbs/yd³ 12.2 24.5 36.7 12.2 accelerator type aluminum sulfate aluminumsulfate aluminum sulfate aluminum sulfate grams 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 18391725 1301 678 1906 strength (psi)  7 day 3848 3170 2416 1294 3682 28 day5080 4230 3147 2181 4579 granular yes/no no Yes Yes yes yes slump inches7.75 0 0 0 0 weight grams 19950 19600 19410 18530 19800 air % 2.2 0 0 00 unit weight kg/m³ 2293 2243 2216 2092 2271 pcf 143.1 140.0 138.3 130.6141.8 concrete temp. ° C. 22.7 22.7 27.2 26.6 27.2

EXAMPLE 20

In this study, higher dosage rates, greater than 36.7 lbs/yd³, ofshredded post-consumer newsprint were investigated.

The shredded newsprint dosage was varied between 48.9 and 73.4 lbs/yd³.As the shredded newsprint dosage increases, the 28 day compressivestrength decreases. The same is true for the accelerator. At equivalentshredded newsprint dosages, an increase in accelerator dosage results ina decrease in 28 day strength. In all cases, the addition of shreddedpost-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate at dosages in excess of36.7 lbs/yd³ transforms plastic concrete to a granular form.

TABLE 20 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded shredded shreddedshredded post- post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumerconsumer consumer consumer news print news print news print news printnews print news print grams 648 810 972 648 810 972 lbs/yd³ 48.9 61.273.4 48.9 61.2 73.4 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams486 486 486 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 36.7 36.7 36.7 24.5 24.5 24.5 polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1765 430 173 126 343 192 108strength (psi)  7 day 4364 709 360 252 898 464 273 28 day 5192 919 328254 553 436 323 granular yes/no no yes yes Yes yes yes yes slump inches7.75 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20580 18400 17240 17000 17800 17480 17300air % 1.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2382 2074 1910 1876 1989 19441918 pcf 148.7 129.5 119.2 117.1 124.2 121.4 119.7 concrete temp. ° C.23.3 28.8 27.7 28.8 29.3 27.7 27.7

EXAMPLE 21

In this study, higher dosage rates, greater than 36.7 lbs/yd³, of fiberglass (Owen's Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation) wasinvestigated. The fiber dosage was varied between 48.9 and 73.4 lbs/yd³.As the fiber dosage increases, the 28 day compressive strengthdecreases. The same is true for the accelerator. At equivalent fiberdosages, an increase in accelerator dosage results in a decrease in 28day strength. In all cases, the addition of fiber glass and aluminumsulfate at dosages in excess of 36.7 lbs/yd³ transforms plastic concreteto a granular form.

TABLE 21 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type fiber glass fiber glass fiber glass fiber glassfiber glass fiber glass grams 648 810 972 648 810 972 lbs/yd³ 48.9 61.273.4 48.9 61.2 73.4 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams324 324 324 486 486 486 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 36.7 36.7 36.7 polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1660 303 275 131 158 109 72strength (psi)  7 day 3815 684 419 217 262 235 99 28 day 5297 740 527217 490 260 89 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes yes yes slump inches6.75 0 0 0 0 0 0 weight grams 20590 15880 15500 15420 16600 16080 15320air % 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2383 1718 1664 1653 1819 1746 1639pcf 148.8 107.3 103.9 103.2 113.6 109.0 102.3 concrete temp. ° C. 21.122.2 24.4 25 23.3 25 24.4

EXAMPLE 22

In this study, the addition or dosage of fiber glass (Owen's CorningExpanding Blown-In Insulation) was investigated at values equal to andless than 36.7 lbs/yd³ and at a fixed accelerator dosage of 12.2lbs/yd³. The fiber dosage was varied between 6.1 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. Asthe fiber dosage increased, the 28 day compressive strength decreased.In all cases, the addition of fiber glass at dosages between 6.1 and36.7 lbs/yd³ transformed plastic concrete to a granular form at a fixeddosage of aluminum sulfate, 12.2 lbs/yd³. The 28 day compressivestrength does not change significantly until the dosage exceeds 12.2lbs/yd³. At a fiber glass dosage of 24.5 lbs/yd³, the 28 day compressivestrength decrease from approximately 4595 psi for the reference mix to3237 psi.

TABLE 22 Number 1 2 3 4 5 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 coarseaggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 13031303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type fiber glass fiber glassfiber glass fiber glass grams 81 162 324 486 lbs/yd³ 6.1 12.2 24.5 36.7accelerator type aluminum sulfate aluminum sulfate aluminum sulfatealuminum sulfate grams 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 2072 2443 2210 1597 592strength (psi)  7 day 4272 4114 4457 3009 1541 28 day 4595 5232 51073237 1170 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes slump inches 8 0 0 0 0weight grams 20770 20460 19690 19550 18030 air % 1.9 0 0 0 0 unit weightkg/m³ 2408 2365 2256 2236 2021 pcf 150.3 147.6 140.8 139.6 126.2concrete temp. ° C. 21.6 23.3 22.2 22.7 22.7

EXAMPLE 23

In this study, the addition or dosage of shredded post-consumer newsprint was investigated at values equal to and less than 36.7 lbs/yd³ ata fixed accelerator dosage of 12.2 lbs/yd³. The shredded newsprintdosage was varied between 6.1 and 36.7 lbs/yd³. As the shreddednewsprint dosage increased, the 28 day compressive strength decreased.In all cases, the addition of shredded post-consumer news print atdosages between 6.1 and 36.7 lbs/yd³ transformed plastic concrete to agranular form at a fixed dosage of aluminum sulfate, 12.2 lbs/yd³. The28 day compressive strength does not change significantly until thedosage exceeds 6.1 lbs/yd³. At a shredded newsprint dosage of 12.2lbs/yd³, the 28 day compressive strength decrease from approximately5349 psi for the reference mix to 4194 psi. At a shredded newsprintdosage of 24.5 lbs/yd³, the 28 day compressive strength decreases to1499 psi, a 72% strength reduction.

TABLE 23 Number 1 2 3 4 5 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 coarseaggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 13031303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 fiber type shredded post- shreddedpost- shredded post- shredded post- consumer news consumer news consumernews consumer news print print print print grams 81 162 324 486 lbs/yd³6.1 12.2 24.5 36.7 accelerator type aluminum sulfate aluminum sulfatealuminum sulfate aluminum sulfate grams 162 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.212.2 12.2 12.2 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive 1 day 2058 23151987 429 294 strength (psi) 7 day 4040 4274 3427 984 518 28 day 53495483 4194 1499 669 granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes slump inches 7.5 00 0 0 weight grams 20610 20290 17900 16100 16160 air % 2 0 0 0 0 unitweight kg/m³ 2386 2341 2003 1749 1757 pcf 149.0 146.1 125.0 109.2 109.7concrete temp. ° C. 21.6 22.7 23.8 24.4 25

EXAMPLE 24 (Batch Number 17435)

In this study, higher dosage rates, greater than 36.7 lbs/yd³, ofshredded post-consumer news print was investigated. The dosage rate ofset accelerator was fixed at 12.2 lbs/yd³. The dosage was varied between48.9 and 73.4 lbs/yd³. As the shredded newsprint dosage increases, the28 day compressive strength decreases. In all cases, the addition ofshredded post-consumer news print at dosages in excess of 37 lbs/yd³transforms plastic concrete to a granular form. The one interestingobservation is that the addition of accelerator, though makes a smalldifference is not be required to reduce 28 day compressive strengths tofacilitate management of granular material. In fact results show thatthe compressive strength begins to converge as the fiber dosageincreases independent of the accelerator dosage. These results indicatethat shredded newsprint alone is sufficient to convert plastic concreteto a granular form and facilitate the management of the granularmaterial over time.

TABLE 24 Number 1 2 3 4 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³1775 1775 1775 1775 aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 granularlbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded post- post- post-consumer consumer consumer news print news print news print grams 648810 972 lbs/yd³ 48.9 61.2 73.4 accelerator type aluminum aluminumaluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate grams 162 162 162 lbs/yd³ 12.2 12.212.2 polymer type grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1854 311 112 65strength (psi)  7 day 3915 345 284 122 28 day granular yes/no no Yes yesyes slump inches 8 0 0 0 weight grams 20540 17960 17480 16960 air % 2.30 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2376 2012 1944 1870 pcf 148.3 125.6 121.4 116.7concrete temp. ° C. 21.1 21.1 22.9 22.2

EXAMPLE 25

In this study, the effect of shredded post-consumer news print in theabsence of a set accelerator was investigated. The shredded newsprintdosage was varied between 48.9 and 73.4 lbs/yd³. As the shreddednewsprint dosage increases, the 7 day compressive strength decreases. Atsuch high shredded newsprint dosages, the 28 day cylinders fell apart.In all cases, the addition of shredded post-consumer news print atdosages in excess of 37 lbs/yd³ transforms plastic concrete to agranular form. In this study it was demonstrated that the addition of aset accelerator, aluminum sulfate, though makes a small difference instrength development, is not required to produce a granular materialthat can be managed over time.

TABLE 25 Number 1 2 3 4 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³1775 1775 1775 1775 aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 granularlbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded post- post- post-consumer consumer consumer news print news print news print grams 648810 972 lbs/yd³ 48.9 61.2 73.4 accelerator type grams lbs/yd³ polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1821 247 200 108 strength (psi)  7day 4346 531 565 343 28 day granular yes/no no yes yes yes slump inches4.25 0 0 0 weight grams 20530 18310 17540 17470 air % 2.5 0 0 0 unitweight kg/m³ 2375 2061 1952 1942 pcf 148.3 128.7 121.9 121.2 concretetemp. ° C. 21.1 20.6 20 20

EXAMPLE 26

In this study, the effect of fiber glass in the absence of a setaccelerator was investigated. The fiber glass dosage was varied between43.5 and 73.4 lbs/yd³. As the fiber glass dosage increases, the 7 daycompressive strength decreases. At such high fiber dosages, the 28 daycylinders fell apart. In all cases, the addition of fiber glass atdosages in excess of 37 lbs/yd³ transforms plastic concrete to agranular form. In this study it was demonstrated that the addition of aset accelerator, aluminum sulfate, though makes a small difference instrength development, is not required to produce a granular materialthat can be managed over time.

TABLE 26 Number 1 2 3 4 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 coarse lbs/yd³1775 1775 1775 1775 aggregate sand lbs/yd³ 1303 1303 1303 1303 granularlbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 material water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type glass glass glass fibers fibers fibers grams 648576 972 lbs/yd³ 48.9 43.5 73.4 accelerator type grams lbs/yd³ polymertype grams lbs/yd³ compressive  1 day 1572 357 567 122 strength (psi)  7day 3949 555 660 277 28 day granular yes/no no yes yes yes slump inches6.75 0 0 0 weight grams 20550 17440 17800 17530 air % 2.3 0 0 0 unitweight kg/m³ 2377 1938 1989 1951 pcf 148.4 121.0 124.2 121.8 concretetemp. ° C. 22.2 22.2 22.7 21.6

EXAMPLE 27

In this study, the introduction of additional mix water on the effect ofshredded post-consumer news print and aluminum sulfate to convertplastic concrete to granular form was investigated. In this case theshredded newsprint and aluminum dosage were fixed at 24.5 lbs/yd³. Thatamount of additional water was increased from 16.7 lbs/yd3 to 100.1lbs/yd3 (or 2 to 12 gallons/yd³). In the range studied there was a nochange in compressive strength. The 7 day strength varied between 856and 1669 psi with the highest value measured at the lowest wateraddition rate. It makes sense in terms of the effect water/cement ratiohas on strength.

TABLE 27 Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 cement lbs/yd³ 611 611 611 611 611 611 611coarse aggregate lbs/yd³ 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 1775 sand lbs/yd³1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 1303 granular material lbs/yd³ 0 0 0 0 0 00 water lbs/yd³ 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 w/c 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.520.52 0.52 fiber type shredded shredded shredded shredded shreddedshredded post- post- post- post- post- post- consumer consumer consumerconsumer consumer consumer news print news print news print news printnews print news print grams 324 324 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.524.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 accelerator type aluminum aluminum aluminum aluminumaluminum aluminum sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate grams324 324 324 324 324 324 lbs/yd³ 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 24.5 polymertype additional additional additional additional additional additionalwater water water water water water grams 221 442 662 883 1104 1325lbs/yd³ 16.7 33.4 50.0 66.7 83.4 100.1 compressive  1 day 2018 738 670695 636 627 509 strength (psi)  7 day 4673 1669 1031 931 856 1281 110528 day granular yes/no no yes yes yes yes yes yes slump inches 8 0 0 0 00 0 weight grams 20680 18900 18120 18560 18770 19200 19130 air % 1.5 0 00 0 0 0 unit weight kg/m³ 2396 2144 2034 2096 2126 2187 2177 pcf 149.6133.8 127.0 130.8 132.7 136.5 135.9 concrete temp. ° C. 22.7 26.1 26.626.6 26.1 27.2 27.2

1. A method for producing aggregate particles from cementitiouscompositions, comprising: combining in a vessel a cementitiouscomposition and at least one aggregate-forming inducer that provides asurface anchoring site for cement paste to bond/adhere to, wherein theat least one aggregate-forming inducer comprises a fiber having anelongated body with a length to equivalent diameter ratio of at least 10and that when added to concrete, introduces anchoring surface area forsaid cementitious composition between 275 and 50,000 square meters percubic meter of cementitious composition.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said anchoring surface area is between 500 and 10,000 squaremeters per cubic meter of cementitious composition.
 3. (canceled)
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the fiber having an elongated body has alength to equivalent diameter ratio of at least
 50. 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fiber having an elongated body increases itsspecific surface area during mixing of the concrete due to surfaceroughening or fibrillation by at least 10 percent.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said vessel is the drum of a concrete mixingtruck or a stationary mixing drum or pan or any mixing vessel where thevessel rotates or the mixing blades rotate.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the time needed to combine said at least one aggregate-forminginducer and the cementitious composition and convert the resulting mixto a granular material is 1 to 10 minutes per cubic yard of cementitiouscomposition.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the aggregate-forminginducer does not negatively impact subsequent concrete mixes with regardto its plastic and hardened properties chosen from air, unit weight,slump, set time and strength.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein thecementitious composition is residual or returned concrete or is acementitious paste fraction separated from residual or returnedconcrete.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at leastone aggregate-forming inducer is chosen from shredded and/or cut paper,cardboard, corrugated cardboard, cartons, corrugated cartons, crepepaper, news print, kraft paper, wall paper, wax paper, silk paper;shredded currencies removed from circulation (US and Foreign); woodfibers; glass fibers; shredded textiles; cotton fibers; hemp; mineralfiber chosen from wollastonite, mica, rock wool, slag wool, andgraphite; polyolefin fibers; polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers,or blends thereof; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); carbon fibers; nylon;para-aramid synthetic fiber; polyester fibers, natural fibers chosenfrom sisal fibers, cotton, flax, jute, coconut husks, protein-basedfibers, banana, pineapple, wool, mohair and silk; shredded polystyrene,shredded PET; and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
 13. (canceled) 14.(canceled)
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said polyolefin fibersare polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers or blends thereof have asurface area per unit weight between 100 and 400 square meters perkilogram.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein saidaggregate-forming inducer is news print.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The methodof claim 17, wherein said news print is shredded and has a surface areaper unit weight between 10 and 500 square meters per kilogram. 20.(canceled)
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein the cementitiouscomposition is returned concrete in a delivery truck mixer-drum, and theat least one aggregate-forming inducer is shredded newsprint.
 22. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the addition of an admixturechosen from one or more set accelerators, set retarders, water reducers,rheology modifiers chosen from clay, super absorbent polymers andthickeners, corrosion inhibitors, shrinkage reducing admixtures,colorants, air entrainers, air detrainers, and combinations thereof. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein said set accelerator is aluminumsulfate, aluminum trihydrate, calcium nitrate, calcium nitrite, calciumchloride, sodium nitrate, thiocyanate or mixtures thereof.
 24. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the addition of a super absorbentpolymer chosen from sodium polyacrylate, carboxyalkyl cellulosepolymers, carboxyalkyl starch polymers, alginates, chitosans, starches,polyacrylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers and polyaspartic acidpolymers.
 25. Aggregate particles formed by the method of claim
 1. 26. Apackaged admixture comprising an aggregate-forming inducer comprising afiber having an elongated body with a length to equivalent diameterratio of at least 10 and an admixture chosen from one or more of setaccelerators, set retarders, rheology modifiers and thickeners.
 27. Asingle-use container consisting essentially of one or moreaggregate-forming inducers of claim 1, the one or more aggregate-forminginducers having an elongated body with a length to equivalent diameterratio of at least
 10. 28. The single-use container of claim 27, whereinthe one or more aggregate-forming inducers is news print.
 29. Thesingle-use container of claim 27, wherein the container is a paper bag,water soluble bag, pulpable bag, or plastic bag.
 30. (canceled) 31.(canceled)
 32. A method for producing aggregate particles fromcementitious compositions, comprising: combining a cementitiouscomposition and a formulation consisting essentially of at least oneaggregate-forming inducer, wherein the at least one aggregate-forminginducer when added to said cementitious composition introduces surfacearea between 275 and 50,000 square meters per cubic meter ofcementitious composition, and mixing said cementitious composition withsaid formulation until the mixed components form granular material. 33.The method of claim 32, wherein said formulation is combined with saidcementitious material with a conveyor belt, a pneumatic system, a bloweror a dispenser.
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. A cementitiouscomposition comprising a paste portion and aggregate formed by themethod of claim
 1. 37. The method of claim 1 wherein the vessel is arotatable concrete mixer drum mounted on a concrete ready-mix deliveryvehicle, the method further comprising monitoring the concrete withinthe mixer drum using an automated slump monitoring system to ensure thatthe aggregate-forming inducer becomes uniformly mixed within concretecontained within the mixer drum.